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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 510 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 510

 Supporting the designation of the week beginning November 8, 2015, as 
  ``National Pregnancy Center Week'' to recognize the vital role that 
 pregnancy care and resource centers play in saving lives and serving 
        women and men faced with difficult pregnancy decisions.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 3, 2015

Mrs. Hartzler (for herself, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Huelskamp, and Mr. Pitts) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Supporting the designation of the week beginning November 8, 2015, as 
  ``National Pregnancy Center Week'' to recognize the vital role that 
 pregnancy care and resource centers play in saving lives and serving 
        women and men faced with difficult pregnancy decisions.

Whereas for more than 100 years, young women facing unplanned pregnancies have 
        found support from charitable organizations ranging from Catholic 
        Charities and Jewish Maternity Homes to the Salvation Army;
Whereas many charitable organizations banded together on November 13, 1971, to 
        form the first United States association of nonprofit organizations 
        dedicated to rescuing as many lives as possible from abortion;
Whereas, as of 2013, there were approximately 2,500 pregnancy care and resource 
        centers in the United States;
Whereas women in every part of the United States turn to pregnancy care and 
        resource centers for help, hope, and healing;
Whereas pregnancy care and resource centers are local, nonprofit organizations 
        that provide vital and compassionate support to women and men faced with 
        difficult pregnancy decisions;
Whereas pregnancy care and resource centers reach more than 2,300,000 people 
        each year through a combination of client services, including--

    (1) pregnancy tests;

    (2) ultrasound and medical services;

    (3) options for counseling and education; and

    (4) parenting and childbirth classes;

Whereas every day in the United States, pregnancy care and resource centers 
        assist an average of 6,500 people of the United States, including 
        female, male, young, and old individuals;
Whereas some pregnancy care and resource centers offer specific medical 
        services, including--

    (1) consultation with a licensed medical professional;

    (2) limited ultrasound for pregnancy confirmation; and

    (3) testing for sexually transmitted infections and diseases;

Whereas the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates--

    (1) provides life-affirming pregnancy care and resource centers with 
legal counsel, education, and training;

    (2) has assisted hundreds of pregnancy care and resource centers in 
becoming medical clinics; and

    (3) represented nearly 1,000 pregnancy care and resource centers that 
operate as medical clinics today;

Whereas approximately 30,000 people of the United States volunteer at pregnancy 
        care and resource centers each year, where those people offer more than 
        5,700,000 hours of uncompensated work;
Whereas the approximately 1,000 medical pregnancy care and resource centers that 
        provide limited ultrasound deliver limited ultrasound at little or no 
        cost to women;
Whereas in 2010, close to 230,000 ultrasounds were performed at pregnancy 
        medical centers;
Whereas pregnancy care and resource centers understand that each pregnancy 
        decision is an emotional and private choice, and compassionate staff and 
        trained volunteers of pregnancy care and resource centers--

    (1) provide each patient with educational materials; and

    (2) offer each patient emotional support and care to equip each patient 
through difficult situations;

Whereas close to 78 percent of pregnancy care and resource centers in the United 
        States offer specialized parenting education--

    (1) through direct services on premises; or

    (2) in nearby churches, schools, or other locations;

Whereas nearly every pregnancy care and resource center provides clients with 
        material support for pregnancy and infant care, which may include--

    (1) maternity clothing;

    (2) baby clothes and furniture;

    (3) housing assistance; or

    (4) nutritional counseling and resources;

Whereas pregnancy care and resource centers--

    (1) do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, creed, 
religious affiliation, disability, or arbitrary circumstances; and

    (2) take special care to provide help to underserved minority 
populations;

Whereas pregnancy care and resource centers have committed to engaging fathers 
        so that fathers can acquire the skills necessary to become involved and 
        responsible fathers;
Whereas Care Net affiliated pregnancy care and resource centers--

    (1) have saved more than 462,000 babies since 2008; and

    (2) saved 73,000 babies in 2014 alone;

Whereas Heartbeat International reports that Heartbeat International affiliated 
        pregnancy care and resource centers rescue 160,000 babies from the risk 
        of abortion each year;
Whereas in the last 7 years, 8 of 10 women considering abortion when they 
        entered a Care Net affiliated pregnancy care and resource center ended 
        up choosing life;
Whereas in the last 7 years, Care Net affiliated pregnancy care and resource 
        centers--

    (1) provided 698,649 free ultrasound scans;

    (2) provided parenting support and education to 828,190 individuals;

    (3) provided material resources to more than 1,200,000 individuals; and

    (4) administered 2,100,000 pregnancy tests;

Whereas the 24-hour Option Line of Heartbeat International--

    (1) helps carry out a mission of reaching and rescuing as many lives as 
possible around the world through an effective network of life-affirming 
pregnancy help centers; and

    (2) answers questions by phone, text, email, or chat before connecting 
an individual with the local pregnancy help organization of the individual 
where the individual will receive 1-on-1, compassionate, caring support;

Whereas in 2014, Heartbeat International received the 2,000,000th contact 
        through the Option Line;
Whereas Heartbeat International reports the existence of 413 maternity homes in 
        the United States;
Whereas in 2008, Care Net, Heartbeat International, the National Institute of 
        Family and Life Advocates, and other groups issued a statement entitled 
        ``Our Commitment of Care and Competence'', which--

    (1) addresses issues including--

    G    (A) scientific and medical accuracy;

    G    (B) truth in advertising;

    G    (C) compassion;

    G    (D) nondiscrimination;

    G    (E) patient confidentiality;

    G    (F) staff training; and

    G    (G) a consistent life ethic; and

    (2) expands the determination of the pregnancy help movement to comply 
with applicable legal requirements regarding--

    G    (A) employment;

    G    (B) fundraising;

    G    (C) financial management;

    G    (D) taxation;

    G    (E) medical licensure; and

    G    (F) operation standards; and

Whereas less than 10 percent of the income of pregnancy care and resource 
        centers in the United States derives from governmental sources, which 
        ensures that pregnancy care and resource centers--

    (1) minimize burdens on each taxpayer; and

    (2) engage local communities to provide sustainable support: Now, 
therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of National Pregnancy Center 
        Week;
            (2) supports the important work of pregnancy care and 
        resource centers across the United States;
            (3) appreciates and recognizes the thousands of volunteers 
        and staff of pregnancy care and resource centers in the United 
        States who give millions of hours of service each year to women 
        and men who are faced with difficult pregnancy decisions; and
            (4) recognizes the importance of--
                    (A) protecting life; and
                    (B) assisting women and men in need as they bring 
                children into the world.
                                 <all>
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